Newborn Baby Constipation
It is equally normal for the baby to have a bowel movement several times a day or as little as once a week. In rare cases, there can be up to three weeks between bowel movements. A baby should only be given a laxative if he or she is bothered by the long intervals between bowel movements.Breastfed babies usually have frequent bowel movements until they are two to three months old and their stools are typically yellow.
Causes of Newborn Constipation
Constipation in our newborn are caused by several factor. The factors could be bad baby feeding schedule, reacting to the formula milk when you decide to switch your baby formula to other formula milk brand, constipation occur when your first introducing solid food to newborn and there is not enough fiber in the food.
Change in Diet
Many babies will become constipated when their diet changes. Constipation among breastfed babies is uncommon. So, one of the main causes is changing from breastmilk to formula. If you have recently introduced formula, or changed formula, take note. You may need to try a few different brands of formula before finding one that works well with your baby’s digestive system.
In the first hours of life a newborn baby experiences so many things for the very first time. As Dr. Greene talks about in his book From First Kicks to First Steps she finally has the opportunity to see the mother whose voice has been keeping her company for so long. He experiences his first breath of air, his first touch, his first kiss, his first gaze. She has her first taste of food. But there are also some unpleasant things a newborn baby will experience.
Bananas, rice cereal and applesauce all tend to produce firmer stools. Carrots and squash are constipating for some babies. Pears, peaches, plums, apricots, peas and prunes make stools softer. By balancing the diet, you can often keep the stools comfortably mid-range. If the stools are still too firm, juice is the gentlest medicine to soften them up. Apple juice twice a day is a good bet. If this doesn’t work, prune juice is even better. Also, when your son is straining you might want to put him in a tub of warm water. This will relax his muscles and make the stool easier to pass.
For oil, use an all natural fruit or vegetable based oil, something edible. Good choices that you may already have at home include grape seed oil or olive oil. Put a small drop of oil in your hands, about the size of a coin, and rub together to warm. Show baby what you are doing, he’ll start to associate the sight and sound with what comes next.
